GM to Hike Chevrolet Output in Kazakhstan

VIENNA – General Motors Russia and CIS and Kazakh assembler Asia Avto sign a memorandum of understanding to further their partnership with a plan to boost production and strengthen Chevrolet's position in the Kazakh market.

The MOU, signed during a Kazakh-Korean business forum in the country’s capital of Astana, extends a relationship between the two auto makers that began in 2007.

While Asia Avto built 468 Chevrolet vehicles from semi-knocked-down kits in the first half of the year, plans call for the assembly of up to 10,000 Chevrolets in 2012.

The partners also will establish a task force to develop a strategy to promote GM brands in the Kazakh market over the next 10 years.

Currently, Asia Avto assembles Chevrolet Aveo, Captiva, Cruze sedan, Epica, and Lacetti hatchback and sedan models at its plant in Ustj-Kamenogorsk.

In the fourth quarter, it will add regular assembly of the Cruze hatchback and 7-seat Orlando microvan and replace the current Captiva with a new-generation version.

Chevrolet sales in Kazakhstan more than doubled in the January-July period.

In addition to Chevrolet, Asia Avto assembles Lada, Kia and Skoda vehicles.

Asia Avto to launch Orlando assembly in fourth quarter.